Explanatory Notes – Travel Management Schedule
General
The current status of each forest and mileage of NFS roads and trails is current as of
January 20, 2006. These values will change as each unit makes travel management
decisions to construct new roads and trails, decommission existing roads and trails,
change restrictions or prohibitions on motor vehicle use, and otherwise implement the
travel management rule. We expect to update the schedule annually. In the meantime,
the schedule does not reflect actions taken since January 20, 2006.
Column A -- Region
The National Forest System is divided into nine regions (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 –
there is no Region 7). Each region is reflected on one page of the schedule.
Column B – Forest and Column C – District
All national forests and grasslands are represented on the schedule. Different units are
organizing travel planning differently in response to their different geographic,
ecological, and social environments. Some national forests will complete travel planning
for an entire national forest or grassland in a single process – these are represented by a
single row in the spreadsheet. Others will complete travel planning on a district by
district basis.
Column D -- NFS Acres
Displays the total acres of National Forest System lands on the unit or district.
Column E -- Current Status
Reflects the current status of travel management direction. Each unit has its own unique
history of travel management direction, and many subtle distinctions cannot be
represented in a national database. For the purposes of this schedule, units are grouped
into the following broad categories. Readers should not rely on this categorization alone.
Contact the local national forest for a complete discussion of current travel management
direction.
System – The unit or district already manages motor vehicle use on a designated system
of NFS roads, NFS trails, and/or areas on NFS lands, and prohibits motor vehicle use off
the designated system. Units in this category may be able to implement the travel
management rule without major new planning efforts by publishing a motor vehicle use
map reflecting current designations.
Existing – The unit or district restricts motor vehicles to “existing” routes, including
user-created routes which may or may not be inventoried and have not yet been evaluated
for designation. Site-specific planning will still be necessary to determine which routes
should be designated for motor vehicle use.
Open – Portions of the unit or district (larger than individually designated “areas” under
the new rule) are currently open to cross-country motor vehicle travel. Note that units in
this category also contain wilderness and other places where motor vehicle use is
restricted or prohibited.
Column F -- Projected Date for Designation
This column displays the projected date for publication of the motor vehicle use map.
Designation is complete when a motor vehicle use map is published for that unit or
district, reflecting a system of designated routes and areas for motor vehicle use. Note
that most units will need to begin travel planning 1-3 years before they are able to
complete the motor vehicle use map.
Column G -- Existing NFS Roads
Shows the total miles of National Forest System roads on the unit or district. Does not
include state or county roads, temporary roads, and user-created roads. Does include
roads closed to public motor vehicle use. Refer to definition of “National Forest System
Road” in 36 CFR 212.1.
Column H -- Existing NFS Roads Open to Motor Vehicle Use
Displays the subset of NFS road miles currently managed as open to public motor vehicle
use. Does not include roads closed by order or physical barrier, or temporary roads.
Does not include gated roads used only administratively, or by those with written
authorizations.
Column I -- Existing NFS Trails
Shows the total miles of existing NFS trails on the unit or district. Includes trails
managed for non-motorized use. Does not include user-created trails.
Column J -- Existing NFS Trails Open to Motor Vehicle Use
Shows the subset of NFS trail miles currently managed as open to motor vehicle use.
Does not include trails closed by order or physical barrier, or used only administratively
or with written authorizations.
Column K -- Existing NFS Trails Open to Motor Vehicle Use (Single-Track)
Show the subset of NFS trail miles currently managed as open to motor vehicle use for
single-track vehicles (motorcycles) only. These miles are also included in Column J.
Column L – Acres Currently Open to Cross-County Motor Vehicle Use
This field is used only if the “current status” (column E) is “Open.” Displays the NFS
acreage currently open to cross-country motor vehicle use. This acreage is normally less
than that in Column D because even “open” forests contain wilderness and other areas
where motor vehicle use is restricted or prohibited.